McLaren Silverstone test notes 2004-06-01

MP4-19B TESTS AT SILVERSTONE

The Team McLaren Mercedes development car, the MP4-19B, tested for the first time today at a rainy Silverstone. Kimi Raikkonen completed 46 laps in the car and set a lap time of 1m22.120s, which was second fastest of the day behind Fernando Alonso in the Renault.

"We only managed to do a few laps in the morning due to rain but we were able to do some more running in the afternoon when the track was drying," commented Kimi. "My first impression of the car is that it feels good. As it takes time to develop a car on the track we still have a busy couple of days ahead of us. What is important for me is that the development car seems to feel and behave really well so far. "

"We did what we could today considering the weather without experiencing any major problems," said Martin Whitmarsh CEO Formula One, Team McLaren Mercedes. "Hopefully the weather will improve so we can go through our planned testing programme. The car appears to be a step in the right direction, but it really is too early to say anything more."

"The team will continue its testing programme at Silverstone with Kimi on Wednesday and Thursday and gather as much information as possible. No decision has been taken about the possible race introduction of the MP4-19B as it all depends on the progress we make during testing."

-mclaren-